You've Got Mail!

Not really, but I thought the title was catchy.  My parents are on an extended holiday until the end of the year so we are staying in their home and watching their adorable Yorkies while our house is being built.  It's a win/win situation all around!  One of the things that happens when you're away for a period of time is your mail begins to pile up.  I really needed a way to keep all of their mail together so they can sort through it when they get home; and I wanted it to be super cute and not just an eyesore!  I purchased a photo box at a local big box store and decorated it up nicely.  It was just too plain, otherwise!



I'm really happy with how this box turned out!  I think my mom will be pleasantly surprised to find all her mail compiled in this darling box.  My dad will probably just say it's nice to be nice.  Since I got the cutting dimensions from a paid site, I cannot share them, but I will provide you with the info on the product I used!

Supplies:

Early Espresso Classic Ink (119670)

Whisper White 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock (100730)

Not Quite Navy 8-1/2" x 11" Card Stock (101722)

Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper (122367)

My Digital Studio (118108)

Noteworthy Digital Content CD (Alphabet used) ($16 Hostess - 124231)

Stamping Sponges (101610)

SNAIL Adhesive (104332)

Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Paper Cutter (104152)

Paisley Petals Card

As promised, here is the coordinating card I created to go with the Tres Chic bag and note cards I showed you yesterday.  This Designer Series Paper is absolutely gorgeous and stands alone quite nicely to create the focal point for a card or other project.

Supplies:

Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin Pad (103008)
Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker (105113)
Not Quite Navy Stampin' Write Marker (100059)
Cajun Craze Stampin' Write Marker (119678)
Not Quite Navy Card Stock (101722)
Marina Mist Card Stock (119682)
Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper (122367)
Perfect Punches Stamp Set (Wood - 117022; Clear - 120516)
Friends Never Fade Stamp Set (Wood - 118750; Clear - 120618)
Curly Label Punch (119851)
Medium Whisper White Envelopes (107301)
Retired Ribbon

So Much Going On!!!!

Oh my!  Where has the time gone?  I haven't posted for nearly two weeks!  As I mentioned, we are crazy busy at my house getting ready for our upcoming move.  We also took advantage of the holiday weekend and went with a few other families to spend 4 days at the beach.  It was wonderful and restful ... just what we needed!  Especially since the movers will be here in 21 days for our first shipment, at which time all my stamping supplies will be gone, so be prepared for another dry spell from me!

So while I was gone on my mini holiday, all kinds of stuff was going on!  The new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog went live!  You can view it by clicking the button on my sidebar.  There is also a fantastic Starter Kit Promotion (again viewable with a button click).  So many fun new stamp sets!  Can't wait to get my hands on them.  Also, there is an update for your My Digital Studio software to include the new 2011-2013 In Colors! 

And now, for what you'd probably rather see than read all about ... a stamped project!  I created this cutie for my UStamp swap partner.  I'm hoping she's received it by now!  I'll show you the coordinating card tomorrow. 

You can get the instructions for this darling bag, called the Tres Chic bag, from Becky Roberts at Inking Idaho!!!  LOVE IT! 

Supplies:

Not Quite Navy Classic Stampin Pad (103008)

Not Quite Navy Card Stock (101722)

Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper (122367)

Perfect Punches Stamp Set (Wood - 117022; Clear - 120516)

Scallop Oval Punch (119856)

Eyelet Border Punch (119853)

1" Circle Punch (119868)

Retired Ribbon

So Many Good Things and Blog Candy

Oh my goodness.  I did not realize how long I've been away from my blog!  I am so sorry.  On the home front, my hubby FINALLY returned from a deployment -- his first one in over five years -- so we've been having a lot of family time.  Can't really apologize for that, can I?  I have so much to share with y'all!!! 

Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Scrub Refill Pads

First, the Stampin' Scrub (Item 102642) and the Stampin' Scrub Refill Pads (Item 101230) are once again available for regular orders.   As a result of the material issues, Stampin' Up!'s supplier was unable to provide the same scrubbing pad material. While you may notice a slight difference in the material, the functionality and high-quality standards remain the same. After in-house testing, Stampin' Up! approved the material change because they found it to be an excellent alternative.  As you know, Stampin' Scrub was temporarily unavailable as part of the Starter Kit.  Effective April 28 at noon (MT), it will return as a Starter Kit item.  Again, thank you for your patience throughout this process.

National Scrapbooking Month Promotion

Message from the Home Office:  We are starting May's National Scrapbooking Promotion today, April 29!  In addition, April's promotion will continue through April 30, as previously indicated, so you will be able to participate in both promotions through April 30.  Check out the flyer here!!!  You can get several stamp sets, My Digital Studio download bundles and My Digital Studio printing services at 30% off during this promotion!  Don't miss out!

Spring is Blossoming Promotion and Occasions Mini Catalog

April 30 is the last day to take advantage of the Spring is Blossoming promotion (see button on my sidebar) and order from the Occasions Mini catalog!  If there is anything you want from either the promotion or the catalog, don't delay!!!

UStamp with Dawn and Friends Classes, Clubs and Camps Spring 2011

The newest round of UStamp with Dawn and Friends is officially open!  There is still plenty of time to sign up for fabulous projects, live chats and tons of prizes!!!  Click on the button in my sidebar and sign up today!

Club Share

I couldn't do such a big blog post without adding some kind of stamping project, could I?  My Stamp Club met last weekend and one of the items we made was this cute little coaster book.  I just love working with coasters.  There is just so much you can do with them.  For this one, we covered two chipboard coasters with Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper (sneak peak Spring is Blossoming promotion) on one side and card stock on the other.  We put a few sheets of lined paper in between the coasters and bound it together with my Bind it All.  The framed initial on the front is from the Four Frames stamp set and the Lovely Letters Alphabet set.  

Stampin' Supplies:
Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper (122367)
Early Espresso Card Stock (119686)
Early Espresso Classic Ink (119670)
Early Espresso 5/8" Satin Ribbon (119753)
Four Frames Stamp Set (W: 123440; C: 123442)
Lovely Letters Alphabet Stamp Set (Wood mount only - 115030)
Stamping Sponges (101610)
Chipboard Coasters (Non-Stampin' Up!)
Bind It All (Non-Stampin' Up!)

BLOG CANDY!!!

And now, for what you really wanted to know about ... BLOG CANDY.  As my apology for being away for so long and to express my gratitude for you sticking with me I am offering up to one lucky winner a brand new, unmounted Spring Solitude stamp set with matching Wheel.  This is a retired hostess set from a few years back.  All you have to do to enter to win is leave me a comment on this blog post.  Be sure to leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win!!!  This is VERY important.  Deadline to sign up is 11:59 PM Central Time on Sunday, May 1.  Good luck to you all!!!

And now that life is beginning to get back to normal in my house, I'm hoping my stamping routine will get back to normal as well and I can show you all some yummy stamping goodness again on a regular basis!